Dates

Destroyed at the end of the First Age

Location

At the head of the Firth of Drengist, leading westward out of Hithlum

Races

Originally associated with Elves, but given its name by Tuor, a Man

Division

The gate of Annon-in-Gelydh leading into the cleft was made by the Noldor

Source

A stream emerged at the head of the cleft and ran on westward

Outflow

Into the Firth of Drengist

Passes

Annon-in-Gelydh, the Gate of the Noldor, led into the cleft from the east

Pronunciation

ki'rith ni'nniach (ch as in Scots 'loch')

Meaning

'Rainbow Cleft¹

Other names

The Rainbow Cleft

Indexes:

About this entry:

Updated 22 February 2021
Updates planned: 1

Cirith Ninniach

The Rainbow Cleft

Years of the TreesFirst AgeISecond AgeIIThird AgeIIIFourth AgeIV

The rocky pass through the northwestern mountains of Middle-earth that led to the Great Sea at the Firth of Drengist. It was into this cleft that the Gate of the Noldor led, and Tuor travelled this way on his fateful mission to Gondolin.

Notes

The cleft ran almost directly west to east, so the Sun shone down its length during the morning and evening, causing rainbows to play above the waters of its stream. For this reason Tuor gave it the name Cirith Ninniach, the Rainbow Cleft. If it had an earlier name - and presumably it did, given that the Noldor built a gate leading into it - that name is not recorded.

Cirith Ninniach

The Rainbow Cleft

Notes

See also...

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